In this article, we are going to explore everything related to Rio Mavuba. From its origin to its evolution today, through its applications in different contexts. Rio Mavuba has played a fundamental role in aspects as diverse as society, technology, culture and history. Over the years, Rio Mavuba has generated debate around its impact and influence on our lives, its ethical implications, and its future development. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze in depth all aspects linked to Rio Mavuba, with the aim of better understanding its relevance in the contemporary world and its potential in the future.
French footballer (born 1984)
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Zoba and the second or paternal family name is Mavuba.
Mavuba's father was Mavuba Mafuila, a footballer who appeared at the 1974 FIFA World Cup with Zaire, while his mother was an Angolan national. He was born on board a boat in international waters during the period of the Angolan Civil War, and later stated that his birth certificate did not have a nationality on it, reading only "born at sea".[3] His nephew Kenny also became a footballer, in the French lower leagues.[4]
Mavuba's mother died when he was two, and his father when he was 12 years old. He launched himself into football to help deal with his grief.[3]
Club career
Bordeaux
Mavuba played youth football with Bordeaux. He made his Ligue 1 debut on 10 January 2004 in a 2–1 away win against Montpellier and, under recently appointed manager Michel Pavon, became an immediate first-choice.[5]
From the 2004–05 season until the end of his spell, Mavuba never appeared in less than 32 league matches.[1]
On 3 July 2007, Mavuba signed a five-year contract with Villarreal worth €7 million, as the Spanish side had lost Alessio Tacchinardi who returned to Juventus following a loan.[6][7] He found it hard to break into the first team,[8] only totalling 219 minutes in La Liga, and in late January 2008 joined Lille on loan until the end of the season.[9]
The transfer was made subsequently permanent in summer 2008, with the player penning a four-year contract for a reported fee of €7 million. He appeared in 46 matches between the league and the Coupe de France in his third year, helping Les Dogueswin both competitions, the former after a 57-year wait.[10][11][12]
Mavuba was appointed manager of his last team in April 2019.[20] In October 2020, he became assistant coach at Bordeaux's reserves.[21] On 28 August 2024, it was announced that Mavuba had come out of retirement to help out his former club Bordeaux, recently relegated to the Championnat National 2.[22]
International career
In December 2003, Mavuba played a friendly match with the DR Congo national under-21 team.[23][24] He was also eligible to play for Angola.[25]
^Cothenet, Olivier (7 April 2004). "Mavuba, nationalité: bordelaise" [Mavuba, nationality: bordelaise] (in French). Maxi Foot. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
^"Mavuba, al Villarreal" [Mavuba, to Villarreal] (in Spanish). UEFA. 4 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
^Cerbelle, Nicolas (21 January 2008). "Mavuba rebondit à Lille" [Mavuba rebounds to Lille]. Le Figaro (in French). Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
^Gazeau, Florent (3 May 2013). "Mavuba, et maintenant?" [Mavuba, and now?]. Le Figaro (in French). Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
^"La reconstruction est entamée" [Rebuilding on its way]. La Dépêche du Midi (in French). 19 August 2004. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2018.